The total number of exporters of goods and/or services in 2014-15 was 51,228, an increase of 4,160 (9%) from 2013-14. The number of goods exporters increased by 3,947 (9%) and the number of services exporters increased by 260 (8%).

The increase to the number of exporters was driven mainly by those exporters exporting less than $1m. Of this group, the number of goods exporters increased by 3,632 (9%) and the number of services exporters increased by 162 (8%).

The number of goods exporters increased in each of the main industry divisions presented in this publication. The largest increase in the number of services exporters was to Telecommunication, Computer and information services, up 127 (19%).

In contrast to the increase in the number of exporters, the total value of goods and services exports decreased by $13b to $318b (-4%) from 2013-14. The decrease was due to the value of goods exports decreasing by $18b (-7%) to $255b. This was partially offset by an increase in the value of services exports, up $6b (10%) to $63b.

The decrease in the value of goods exports was mainly driven by the Mining industry decreasing in value of by $21b, following significant falls in commodity prices.

NOTES

ABOUT THIS ISSUE

This publication presents an analysis of the characteristics and international trading activities of Australian exporters in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The information is compiled as a by-product of producing regular monthly and quarterly statistics on Australia's merchandise trade and international trade in services. Table 1 presents an overview covering exporters of both goods and services. Tables 2 to 9 present more detailed information on goods exporters. Table 10 presents additional information on services exporters. These tables are available for free from the 'Downloads' tab of this publication on the ABS website.

There has been changes to the methodology and some definitions used to compile the data in this publication. For more information see 'Changes in this issue'.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070. The ABS Privacy Policy outlines how the ABS will handle any personal information that you provide to us.